252 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY 
of this tree. In Benin it is usually deciduous for about thirty- 
six hours, and the pinkish tips of the fresh leaves and the great 
rapidity of their development are remarkable. The bark is 
dark brown and rougher than the other species. In the Benin 
Forestry Compound there is a large specimen. On the whole, 
it is less common in the evergreen forest than near villages 
or roads. In the forest it is most often found as an epiphyte 
growing on oil palms, Sasswood, and oil-bean trees. The timber 
is white and soft; it has not been used for local purposes 
nor for exports. The “ Balata rubber” of the Upper Niger 
district is obtained by roughly coagulating the latex of this 
tree in the air, with or without reagents, such as the latex 
of Bauhinia reticulata, or salt. The natives use the tree for 
making fences by sticking in pieces of the stem of suitable 
length, and in a similar manner it is used as a shade tree on 
the sides of roads in the villages. This is more especially 
the case in the villages in the dry zone, where other shade 
trees are scarce. Pigeons and parrots spread the seed, and thus 
its reproduction is assured. 
Ficus platyphylla. Gambia Rubber. 
It is also found in the upper reaches of the Ogan River, in 
the Ogo province of Nigeria. 
Ficus asperata. Sandpaper Leaf. Ekpin (Yoruba); Ameme 
(Benin). 
It is a common tree in the Ogoja, Owerri, Benin, Onitsha, 
Ibadan, Ondo and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria. 
It is often found as a small, scrubby tree, though when 
fully grown it reaches a girth of 8 feet, especially in the Benin 
province. The rough leaves are harsh to the touch. 
The pigeons are very fond of eating the fruit and seeds. 
The wood is white and soft. 
The leaf is of the usual Ficus style, with a short stalk and 
deeply dentated, making almost a five-lobed leaf. 
The leaves might be useful as a substitute for sandpaper. 
It has not so far been cut for export or local use. 
Native Use.—The leaves are used for cleaning calabashes 
by the Yorubas and Benin people. 
Ficus sp. Ograw (Yoruba). 
Found in the Abeokuta province. 
Musanga Smithii. Cork-wood or Umbrella Tree. Agbawo or 
Aga (Yoruba); Ogohen (Benin); Oro (Brass). 
It is a very common tree, found growing in new clearings 
amongst the evergreen and mixed forests of the Calabar, 
Ogoja, Owerri, Onitsha (?), Warri, Benin, Ondo, Ibadan and 
Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria. 
